There are moments in Scripture that invite all of us—no matter our story, our background, or our season—to slow down and breathe in the beauty of what God is showing us. One of those moments happens when a woman walks into a crowded room with trembling hands and a heart full of devotion. She carries an alabaster jar—fragile, precious, costly. But what she’s about to do is even more so.
She breaks it.
Oil floods the room. Fragrance fills every corner. The conversations stop. The critics murmur. And yet Jesus—He smiles. He receives her offering not as a waste, not as an interruption, but as an act of breathtaking worship.
This woman, often identified as Mary of Bethany, does what many of us long to do: express love for Jesus in a way that is bold, vulnerable, and without reservation. And Jesus calls it “a beautiful thing” (Mark 14:6).
Her story appears in Matthew 26:6–13, Mark 14:3–9, Luke 7:36–50, and John 12:1–8—a reminder that her devotion left such a mark on Jesus’ followers that they felt it had to be told again and again. And today, it still calls to us. Because what happened in that room is more than a touching moment—it’s a framework for living a life that moves the heart of God.
Here are six invitations from her story—six ways to live like someone whose life has been poured out for Jesus.
1. Give Jesus Your Best
Mary didn’t offer leftover oil or something ordinary. She brought nard—one of the most expensive perfumes of her day—worth nearly a year’s wages. That detail isn’t in Scripture by accident. It tells us something about her heart: She believed Jesus was worthy of her best.
Your “nard” may not be a jar of perfume, but you carry treasures too.
Your time.
Your gifts.
Your creativity.
Your compassion.
Your prayers.
Your resources.
Offering Jesus your best doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like waking up early to pray when you’d rather sleep. Sometimes it’s serving faithfully when no one sees. Sometimes it’s giving generously when it stretches you.
Whether big or small, giving Jesus your best says:
“You matter more to me than anything else.”
2. Worship with Boldness
Mary walked into a room where she wasn’t “supposed” to be. In that culture, women often stayed on the margins in public gatherings, especially among religious men. But Mary refused to let cultural expectations silence her worship.
She walked in.
She knelt down.
She poured out everything.
And critics immediately spoke up—Judas among them—calling her devotion wasteful.
But Mary had decided something long before she walked through that door:
I care more about Jesus’ approval than anyone else’s opinion.
If you’ve ever felt hesitant to pray openly…
If you’ve ever quieted your faith to avoid being judged…
If you’ve ever held back worship because of who might be watching…
Mary’s story reminds you of this simple truth:
Courageous worship always brings Heaven’s applause.
3. Serve with Deep Humility
Mary didn’t just pour out her perfume—she wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair. In ancient Judaism, a woman’s hair represented her dignity and honor (1 Corinthians 11:15). By letting down her hair in such a tender act of service, she wasn’t losing her dignity—she was offering it.
True humility is not weakness.
It is strength under surrender.
It is choosing to serve without expecting credit.
Choosing to love when it’s inconvenient.
Choosing to listen when others speak louder.
Every hidden act of kindness becomes a stroke of worship across Jesus’ feet.
4. Love Jesus More Than Material Things
Judas calculated the perfume’s value instantly. To him, Mary’s worship had a price tag—and it was too high.
But Mary understood something deeper:
Nothing given to Jesus is ever wasted.
We live in a culture that measures worth in dollars, numbers, and likes. But when we choose Jesus over convenience, faithfulness over comfort, obedience over personal gain—we declare, like Mary:
“You are my treasure.”
Loving Jesus more than material things reshapes how we:
• Spend money
• Steward opportunities
• Use our influence
• Plan our future
• Hold our possessions
Everything becomes more beautiful when it is surrendered.
5. Recognize His Worthiness
Jesus said of Mary, “She has done what she could” (Mark 14:8). Not what she couldn’t. Not what others wanted her to do. But what she could.
That is all Jesus ever asks from you—your “could.”
Your faithfulness.
Your obedience.
Your worship.
Your availability.
When you realize who Jesus is—the spotless Lamb, the risen King, the Friend closer than a brother—then everything you offer Him becomes an honor, not a burden.
He gave His all for you.
Giving your all to Him is the most natural response.
6. Leave a Legacy of Love
Jesus made a staggering statement:
“Wherever the gospel is preached…what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
—Mark 14:9
Her act of devotion outlived her.
Her worship traveled farther than she ever could.
Her love became a legacy.
You may feel unseen.
You may wonder if your faithfulness matters.
You may question whether your service makes a difference.
But nothing poured out for Jesus ever disappears.
He sees every tear, every prayer, every act of obedience.
And in ways you’ll never fully understand, your devotion echoes into eternity.
Your Life as an Alabaster Offering
Every one of us carries an alabaster jar—something precious we can lay at His feet. For some, it’s time. For others, it’s surrender in a difficult season. For others, it’s generosity, forgiveness, reconciliation, or boldness.
Mary didn’t wait until she had more.
She didn’t wait until the timing seemed better.
She didn’t wait until others approved.
She acted out of love—pure, wholehearted, overflowing love.
And Jesus called it beautiful.
Today, ask yourself:
What is my alabaster jar?
What is Jesus asking me to pour out?
What step of devotion is He inviting me to take?
Whatever it is, don’t hold it back.
Break it open.
Pour it out.
Let the fragrance of your life fill the room.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the example of Mary—a woman who loved You boldly, served You humbly, and worshiped You without reservation. Give me a heart like hers: a heart willing to give my best, to love beyond fear, to serve without applause, and to value You above anything I possess. Teach me to pour out my life as a fragrant offering, trusting that nothing given to You is ever wasted. May my devotion create ripples of hope, faith, and love that impact others for eternity. I surrender all that I am, and all that I carry, into Your hands. In Your precious name, Amen.
Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement 
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